Urban Research to Practice: Science for Policy Hackathon 2025/26

The Urban Sustainability Living Lab (USLL) in collaboration with UniVie Innovation Team and City of Vienna offer a course on Urban Research to Practice which includes lecture units, a 2-day hackathon and a final pitch event.

The goal of this Urban Research to Practice format is to encourage Master students to further develop inter-and transdisciplinary skills and apply their expertise in a real-world policy context of the City of Vienna. Participants will also gain an in-depth understanding of the development of science-based policies in general and relevant structures and processes in the City of Vienna in particular, as well as insights into career paths and professional fields related to Science4Policy.

All dates and locations at a glance

  • Kick-off: 15 October, 1:15 pm – 4:30 pm, Marietta-Blau-Saal, Main Building (Universitätsring 1, 1010)
  • Lecture Units: Wednesdays, 1:15 pm – 4:30 pm, from 22 October to 10 December, Lecture Room 21, Main Building (Universitätsring 1, 1010)
  • Hackathon: 7–8 January, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, die HausWirtschaft (Bruno-Marek-Allee 5/1, 1020 Vienna)
  • Final Pitch: 15 January, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, die HausWirtschaft (Bruno-Marek-Allee 5/1, 1020 Vienna)
  • Winner’s Pitch: 21 January, 4:45 pm – 6:15 pm, Lecture Room 50, Main Building (Universitätsring 1, 1010); relevant for winning teams

Who is supporting the teams?

  • Prof. Kerstin Krellenberg, Dr. Julia Wesely and James Vandenberg from the Urban Sustainability Living Lab lead the VU/course
  • Senior experts from the City of Vienna provide first-hand input on the proposed challenges;
  • Senior Policy expert Lene Topp leads the final hackathon format and provides expert knowledge on science for policy processes.
  • The Univie:Innovation Team supports the organisation of the entire format and especially the final hackathon